Professional Documents
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PERSONALITY, CHARACTER, AND OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
PARTICIPANT
AS THE FATHER HAS SENT ME, SO I AM SENDING YOU
AMBASSADORS
fostering a new generation of spiritual leaders
MODULE 4
PERSONALITY, CHARACTER, AND OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
PARTICIPANT
AS THE FATHER HAS SENT ME, SO I AM SENDING YOU
AMBASSADORS
fostering a new generation of spiritual leaders
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by
International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
Primary contributor: Tim Lale
Layout, design, and graphics by Jonatan Tejel
Photos: istockphoto.com, photodune.net
Editorial work by Erica Jones & Vanessa Correa
AMBASSADORS
Copyright © by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist® Youth Ministries Department
www.gcyouthministries.org.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—
electronic, mechanical, digital, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission
of the publisher.
Printed in the United States of America
Rights for publishing this book outside the U.S.A. or in non-English languages are administered by the Youth Ministries Department of the
Seventh- day Adventist® Church. For additional information, please visit our website, www.gcyouthministries.org, email Youthinfo@gc.adventist.
org, or write to Youth Ministries Department, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists® Church, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD
20904, U.S.A.
table
of
contents
Welcome 9
Session Template 12
Session 1 - human personality 13
Session 2 - godly character 21
Session 3 - God’s plan – character growth 27
Session 4 - God’s plan – character tested 33
Session 5 - wilderness survival: prioritize the seven basic needs for survival 39
Session 6 - the will to survive 51
Session 7 - effective signaling techniques 57
Session 8 - fire building techniques 63
Session 9 - food and water procurement 69
Session 10 - survival shelter building 75
Session 11 - navigation techniques 81
Session 12 - solo supervised overnight camping trip 87
Session 13 - simple faith and trust-building activities 93
Session 14 - advanced faith and trust-building activities 99
Acknowledgements
The Ambassador Curriculum owes much to the extraordinary contribution and collaboration of many people, without whom its completion would
have been almost impossible. We wish to thank:
The writers: Troy Fitzgerald, Gavin Anthony, Tim Lale, and Patty Prasada-roa.
Gilbert Cangy, whose guidance, leadership, and support brought this curriculum through the long process from birth to realization. Special thanks
for reading the first draft and providing keen insight and practical guidance that made this resource an inestimably better one than it otherwise
would have been.
Special thanks for overseeing the development of the project goes to: Kathy Beagles and the Department of Discipleship and Religious Education at
the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University.
Charity Garcia, our official Hub, for the extraordinary work she did in developing the curriculum and identifying/collaborating with the writers for
all seven modules, and without whom the completion of this project would have been impossible.
Silvia Sicalo, our savvy administrative assistant, who kept the emails going and made sure that deadlines were met.
Erica Jones, for her copyediting expertise and attention to detail that prevented many early mistakes and helped create a wise and functional
model.
Jonatan Tejel, for his technical expertise and selfless willingness to help, and to Rodrigo Araya, whose technical help enriched the outcome.
Maria Dunchie, for her creative contribution in design and support in other practical ways.
Hiskia Missah, for his encouragement throughout this process.
Task Force
A special thanks to the team of Division Youth Directors who, under the chairmanship of Gilbert Cangy, served as task force to periodically review
and provide constructive counsel through the process:
Benjamin Carballo (Inter America), Busi Khumalo (Southern Africa Indian Ocean), James Black (North America), Jobbie Yabut (Southern Asia
Pacific), Paul Tompkins (Trans European), and Ravindra Shankar (Southern Asia).
AS THE FATHER HAS SENT ME, SO I AM SENDING YOU
AMBASSADORS
Welcome to Ambassadors.
Ambassadors is a new level of youth ministry designed to equip you to be the best that you can be and to be part of a new generation
of youth that will take on the challenge to be the hands, feet, and voice of Jesus in your local church and community.
An ambassador generally represents a country or a cause. A Christian ambassador is a representative of another kind; they represent
the values, principles, culture, and laws of the kingdom of God. They stand for the character and purpose of the King of this kingdom—
Jesus Christ, Himself.
The Ambassadors training is based on seven foundations designed for your development. They include:
1. A Christ-centered discipleship plan
2. Leadership development
3. A personal, public, and small group based mission lifestyle
4. Character and personality development, including outdoor, high adventure programming
5. Lifestyle and vocational training
6. Nurturing godly relationships
7. Community outreach development through service projects and emergency preparedness training
Each of these seven foundations will be taught in the form of seven modules, and you will acquire certification for each module
completed.
Each module contains four elements that will be consistently present throughout the course:
• First, the concept of a spiritual companion. At the beginning of each module, you will choose a friend who will be your
companion for the duration of the module. You will meet with that friend during each meeting for mutual encouragement and
support towards your growth as an Ambassador. Groups of spiritual companions will also join for certain activities. This will
foster the concept of community, interdependence, and accountability into the Ambassador’s experience.
• Second, an Individual Discipleship Plan (IDP). At the beginning of every module, you will make a simple plan of how you would
like to grow spiritually and acquire the practical skills, knowledge, and experience proposed in the module. Your spiritual
companion will be there throughout the module to help and encourage you to accomplish your plan. The IDP helps to emphasize
• the continuing nature of discipleship and that learning is a continual part of life. It stresses the need for interdependence on
each other as we learn, grow, and work for God. (See guidelines for creating your IDP on the next page.)
• Third, projects. Each module will have a project that will integrate the core concepts from the module into a service learning
activity focused on helping others. This will be an opportunity for your group to work together as a whole.
• Fourth, social activities. A social activity will be planned for the group at least once a month. Make sure that you always
participate.
Participant’s Guide
A participant’s guide for each module has been prepared for you. You hold one in your hands.
• The Participant’s Guide is essentially your workbook, which contains all the lessons for each module that you will engage with.
• In the back pages of each module you will find the following: a page to create your IDP, and a list of the sessions of the module
that your leader will sign and date upon completion.
• You will be required to complete 75 percent attendance and participation to receive your certification or award at the end of
each module. Participants can make up for missed lessons to achieve the required 75 percent at the discretion of their leader.
Fostering togetherness is at the heart of a model for discipleship, which the General Conference is focusing on; it is known as “Together
Growing Fruitful Disciples.” This model emphasizes understanding, connecting, equipping, and ministering—but doing all of this
“together.” For God did not design us to grow or minister alone, but in community. Paul writes that growing in Christ is achieved as
everyone uses the gifts God has given to them, “until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become
mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13).
Thank you for accepting the call and challenge to become an Ambassador of Jesus Christ and His kingdom. May this experience enrich
your life and assist you in discovering God’s greater purpose for you.
General Conference Youth Ministries Department
did you know? An activity that introduces the theme for the day.
13 minutes
mission briefing A simple Bible study that gives the biblical foundation for the theme done in groups of two or three. It will be
10 minutes helpful for leaders to move around the room to listen in on conversations to see that participants are going in the
right direction and to answer questions.
thinking it through A personal reflection time when each participant writes down what they have personally learned from the Bible
study and how this applies to their own life as an Ambassador. To be shared briefly with their spiritual companion
20 minutes who will be a spiritual encourager during the curriculum.
An ambassador for Jesus will grow spiritually and will witnesses in everyday life beyond the training sessions.
Therefore, participants will develop an individual discipleship plan that will help them grow as an ambassador for
Jesus when they are outside of the learning environment.
At the beginning of each module in the curriculum, participants will develop an individual discipleship plan (IDP)
that will guide their personal spiritual journey during that section. Each IDP will focus on the theme of that section.
“Next Steps” is a time for participants to reflect on how their IDP is working and to pray for each other in what they
aim to do next. This will be done with their spiritual companion. A spiritual companion is a friend who prays for and
encourages their own companion over a set period of time.
reflecting Jesus & An activity that expands on the main theme for the lesson. This section is called “reflecting Jesus and His kingdom”
His kingdom because an ambassador’s main task is to represent who Jesus is to others, as well as what the kingdom of heaven
stands for.
40 minutes
summary As a whole group, this is an opportunity to summarize what participants have learned during the session. It is a time
for the leader to generally review what has been done and to ask for volunteers to briefly share what they have
5 minutes learned.
SESSION 1
human personality
? did you know...
Totals: BROWN ______ ORANGE ______ BLUE ______ GREEN ______
mission briefing
Jesus’ disciple Peter spoke out very plainly in many of the recorded conversations he had with Jesus and others of his time. Peter sometimes
acted rashly and he made big promises he failed to keep. And yet Jesus chose Peter to lead His followers and the early church after He went
back to heaven.
As you and your group read through the following passages, think about Peter’s personality. Which of his traits stand out to you?
Matthew 14:22–31; Matthew 26:31–35, 69–75
1. Write down as many personality traits as you can identify from Peter’s words and actions.
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thinking it through
1. Read the following quote and reflect on it. Then write your thoughts on what these words mean to a young Christian. What challenges
does this passage contain for you? What might you do differently in your life?
None should consent to be mere machines, run by another man’s mind. God has given us ability, to think
and to act, and it is by acting with carefulness, looking to Him for wisdom that you will become capable of
bearing burdens. Stand in your God-given personality. Be no other person’s shadow. Expect that the Lord
will work in and by and through you. (Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, 498)
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2. Take another look at your personality test sheet. Read through the characteristics listed in your personality test under your particular
or personality type. As you consider what is listed there, turn to the IDP section (in the back of your handbook) and begin to formulate
this module’s plan. Focus in particular on the features of your own personality that you are thankful to God for. In what ways will you
consciously give the different parts of yourself to God for His refining and improvement?
? did you know...
The Galatians character traits, better known as the fruits of the Spirit — Galatians 5:22, 23
Love Joy Peace Patience Kindness
Goodness Faithfulness Gentleness Self-control ------------------
Other biblical character traits (indicators of spiritual transformation)
Forgiveness Humility Fairness Courage Friendliness
Honesty Dependability Gratitude Responsibility Contentment
Generosity Compassion Confidence Availability Encouragement
Attentiveness Wisdom Diligence Enthusiasm Initiative
Thoughtfulness Discretion Optimism Efficiency Cooperativeness
Obedience Reverence Commitment Deference Devotion
Discipline Graciousness Perseverance Sincerity Tactfulness
Discernment Mentoring Hospitality Servant leadership Longsuffering
Respectfulness Prudence Punctuality Loyalty Justice
Consistency Conviction Creativity Fearlessness Mercy
Meekness Truthfulness Trustworthiness Thriftiness Resourcefulness
1. Jesus called the exercise of good character traits “bearing fruit” (see Matthew 7:16–18 and Luke 6:43–45). Among the many parts of
the Old Testament He would have studied as a young man were the Proverbs, which point to a variety of godly character traits.
2. Proverbs 1:1–5 sets the stage for an exploration that you will do in the book of Proverbs for character instruction. Read over the table
above to familiarize yourself with the range of traits you may find in Proverbs.
3. The leader will assign chapters in Proverbs that you’ll be studying. Your mission is to identify specific character traits in the chapter(s)
and what Solomon said about them. Make your list below. Be sure to include the verse reference, the trait, and a brief summary of what
Solomon said about it. An example appears on line 1.
thinking it through
Be ready to share with the group some of the traits you found. Check to see if you found traits that are not included in the table above.
Share those first.
Answer these questions:
1. Can you think of an example of worldly wisdom that is the opposite of one of the good character traits recommended in the book of
Proverbs? Write it below. What is the difference between the two traits? What goes wrong when someone follows worldly wisdom in
this area of life?
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2. Did you discover a character trait in Proverbs that you think you need God’s help with to improve in yourself? What is it? What might
you do to begin changing that character trait in yourself?
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? did you know...
Question to think about:
What character traits do you recognize in Mother Teresa? What traits are evident in
Martin Luther King, Jr.?
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Follow the leader’s directions for this activity. Your small group will be assigned ONE of the following traits to study:
Love - John 13:1; 15:13; 1 Corinthians 13:3
Joy - Proverbs 15:13; John 15:11; 17:13; Proverbs 15:13; John 15:11; 17:13
Peace - Matthew 5:9; Colossians 3:15; Philippians 4:7
Patience - Matthew 27:14; Romans 12:12; James 1:3,12
Kindness - Ephesians 4:32
Goodness - Matthew 19:16
Faithfulness - Matthew 17:19; 25:21; 1 Corinthians 12:9; Hebrews 11:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:24
Gentleness - Isaiah 40:11; Philippians 4: 5; 2 Timothy 2:24; 1 Thessalonians 2:7
Self-control - 1 Thessalonians 5: 22
Circle the trait that’s assigned to your group.
Write out the contemporary situation that your group comes up with. Describe it in detail:
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The Galatians character traits, better known as the fruits of the Spirit — Galatians 5:22, 23
Love Joy Peace Patience Kindness
Goodness Faithfulness Gentleness Self-control ------------------
Other biblical character traits (indicators of spiritual transformation)
Forgiveness Humility Fairness Courage Friendliness
Honesty Dependability Gratitude Responsibility Contentment
Generosity Compassion Confidence Availability Encouragement
Attentiveness Wisdom Diligence Enthusiasm Initiative
Thoughtfulness Discretion Optimism Efficiency Cooperativeness
Obedience Reverence Commitment Deference Devotion
Discipline Graciousness Perseverance Sincerity Tactfulness
Discernment Mentoring Hospitality Servant leadership Longsuffering
Respectfulness Prudence Punctuality Loyalty Justice
Consistency Conviction Creativity Fearlessness Mercy
Meekness Truthfulness Trustworthiness Thriftiness Resourcefulness
Think about how you will come up with a character-growth plan of your own that takes into account the following needs:
• Knowing yourself well enough to diagnose what needs to be improved in your character
• Knowing the blueprint for the godly character traits revealed to us in the Bible (see the table above)
• Knowing how long the process of character growth takes (Is it a few days? Months? A lifetime?)
• Knowing the steps it takes to get going in character development
? did you know...
In this lesson we will explore ways that survival skills have an effect on various traits in your character.
1. Have you been on a camping trip before? If so, what happened on the trip?
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2. What is your past experience with the wilderness? Has anything tested you in specific ways?
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3. What would you say is your level of confidence in outdoor activities? What would you like to achieve in this area?
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1. Get into your small groups as instructed
by the leader.
2. Analyze the survival story and share what
you would have done in that situation.
thinking it through
Write down your answers to the Bible study questions above.
1. _________________________________________________________________________________________
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42 4: I am an ambassador for another world
2. _________________________________________________________________________________________
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Share your answers with your group.
3. During this time, work on an Individual Discipleship Plan (IDP) for the coming week. It should be focused on character growth you want
to learn about as you do the Outdoor High Adventure section.
4. Discuss IDP ideas with your spiritual companion.
5. Spend a few minutes writing down your plan.
6. Pray together for the other students working on their IDPs.
reflecting Jesus & His kingdom
1. The leader will present an introduction to the seven basic needs of survival. Notes on the seven basic needs:
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2. Gather in your group as instructed by the leader.
3. Prioritize the seven basic needs of a survivor.
Desert:
a. ____________________________________________________________________________________
b. ____________________________________________________________________________________
c. ____________________________________________________________________________________
d. ____________________________________________________________________________________
e. ____________________________________________________________________________________
f. ____________________________________________________________________________________
g. ____________________________________________________________________________________
Jungle:
a. ____________________________________________________________________________________
b. ____________________________________________________________________________________
c. ____________________________________________________________________________________
d. ____________________________________________________________________________________
e. ____________________________________________________________________________________
f. ____________________________________________________________________________________
g. ____________________________________________________________________________________
Notes on your prioritized lists:
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wilderness camping equipment checklist
Add items that are recommended for your region. Check carefully that you have included all items needed for safety
and general comfort.
___ Sturdy hiking boots (preferably broken in) ___ Extra batteries
___ Small backpack ___ Bug repellant/head net
___ Backpack rain cover ___ Sunscreen and lip balm
___ Sleeping bag and stuff sack ___ Unscented toilet paper
___ Ground pad ___ Trowel or folding shovel
___ Tent ___ Pillowcase (stuff with clothes for pillow)
___ Ground tarp ___ Socks
___ Water filter ___ Underwear
___ Two large water bottles or bladders ___ T-shirts (not cotton type if possible)
___ Dishes – bowl, cup, plate ___ Long underwear (if weather will be cold)
___ Eating utensils ___ Shorts
___ Large plastic bags (for dirty laundry and trash) ___ Hat
___ Non-cotton trousers/pants ___ Bandanas
___ Non-cotton jacket ___ Sandals or light shoes (minimizes impact at camp)
___ Waterproof poncho ___ Day pack (for day hikes out of base camp)
___ Toothbrush/toothpaste ___ Bible
___ Biodegradable soap ___ Ambassadors participant handbook
___ Notebook & Pen/Pencil ___ Clipboard
___ Compass ___ Pen or pencil
___ Headlamp and/or mini torch/flashlight
Optional Items
• Multi-tool • Emergency transponder/personal locator beacon
• Cell phone • Satellite phone
• GPS • Sewing kit
EMERGENCY CONTACT
The Ambassador program attempts to provide a safe, secure, and Christian environment for participants during all activities. However,
even with care and supervision, participants may become ill or injured. In the event of an emergency, staff will attempt to contact the
individuals listed below.
Legal name of emergency contact #1: ________________________________________________________________
Full home address: ____________________________________________________________________________
Phone: ____________________________________ Alternate phone: ____________________________________
Relationship to participant: _____________________________
Health Insurance information:____________________________
HEALTH HISTORY OF PARTICIPANT
Health problems or concerns: _____________________________________________________________________
Allergies: __________________________________________________________________________________
Current medications: __________________________________________________________________________
Physical restrictions: __________________________________________________________________________
Date of last tetanus immunization: _________________________________________________________________
Physician’s name: ___________________________________________ Phone: _____________________________
PRIVACY POLICY
The Seventh-day Adventist Church values the privacy and personal protection of every participant. All information collected on this
form is for the sole purpose of Ambassador ministry. It will not be shared with any second or third-party individuals or organizations
unless an emergency situation warrants it, compliance with a court order requires it, or the participant authorizes it in writing.
I, the undersigned, am aware that while participating in Ambassador group activities, I may at some point require emergency medical
treatment as a result of accident or illness. In the event emergency medical treatment becomes necessary, I grant the Ambassador
program and its staff authority to obtain emergency medical treatment for me. I further grant permission for medical personnel to
administer emergency medical treatment to me.
Name of participant if a minor: _______________________________________________________
Signature: _____________________________________________________________________
Print full legal name: ______________________________________________________________
Health Insurance Information:_________________________________________________________
Date: ____________________________
RELEASE, HOLD HARMLESS, AND INDEMNIFICATION
In consideration of the benefits derived from participation in Ambassador group activities, I voluntarily release, indemnify, and
hold harmless the Ambassador program and its staff, the ___________________________Seventh-day Adventist Church,
the ____________________________ Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, and the foregoing entities’ employees,
representatives, agents, and affiliates from any claims, losses, damages, or liabilities (including reasonable attorney fees) for any
occurrences or actions which result in injury, illness, accident, or harm of any kind, now or in the future, to me while I participate in
Ambassador group activities, and from any act or omission of negligence in rendering or failing to render any type of emergency or
medical service.
By signing this form, I declare that I have read and understand the contents of this form and agree to all terms and conditions herein.
I will follow the Ambassador program’s Code of Conduct. In the event of theft or property damage caused by me, I will work with the
Ambassador program and its staff to ensure full restitution.
The information I have provided is truthful and accurate. If any provisions of this document should be invalid or unenforceable, the
remaining provisions shall continue to be effective.
Participan signature if over age of consent: _________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian signature if considered a minor: _____________________________________________________
Print full legal name: ________________________________________________________________________
Date:____________________________
48 4: I am an ambassador for another world
Cold night on Marcy
a survivor’s tale
He had a watch, but was afraid to look at it. Instead he tried to Matt stopped for some reason, and Steve continued hiking. He
gauge time by the slow movement of the stars across the sky. could see his sons 200 or 300 yards below.
Alas, he forgot that he set his watch alarm for 4 a.m. “All of a sudden I was looking at the trail and there was no trail,”
“When it went off, I was disappointed,” he said. “I knew I had to he said. “It was all snow.”
wait some more.” Steve veered to the right into an open gully, thinking it would lead
By then, Steve Mastaitis had been curled up inside a snow hole to the trail. He fell into a spruce trap and sunk up to his chest in
near the summit of Mount Marcy for more than nine hours, snow. As he struggled to free himself, one of his snowshoes and
shivering uncontrollably, suffering from frostbite, fearing the one of his boots came off. After 15 minutes, he extricated himself
worst. The temperature fell to near zero during the night, with a and put his boot and snowshoe back on.
wind-chill factor of 20 below. Afraid of falling into another spruce trap, he started sliding down
“I knew there were people out looking for me. I just didn’t think the gully on his butt. Instead of taking him to the trail, though, it
they’d ever find me in time,” Mastaitis, a 58-year-old lawyer from led him to the edge of Panther Gorge, a wild and rugged canyon
Saratoga Springs, New York, said in an interview at Adirondack between Marcy and Mount Haystack.
Medical Center on Tuesday. “Luckily, I stopped myself just before I would have gone over the
Hard to believe that a day hike in relatively mild conditions could edge,” he said.
turn into the night from hell. Steve knew he was in trouble. He tried calling 911 and his sons,
Mastaitis had climbed fifteen High Peaks, but until Monday, he had but he couldn’t get a signal on his cell phone. He then tried his
never attempted Marcy, the state’s highest mountain. He did the wife, Jane, who was at work in her job as chief financial officer
trip at the urging of two of his sons, Evan, 30, and Benjamin, 34. for Saratoga Bridges. She picked up.
Joining them was Ben’s friend, Matt. The four left Adirondak Loj at “How did he get through to me? That’s the miracle,” Jane said on
7:30 a.m. and reached Marcy’s summit cone about five hours later. Tuesday.
When they emerged above tree line, they were exposed to fierce Steve told his wife to call 911 and send help. He said this might
winds. When Matt stopped to put on his snowshoes, Steve waited be his last call, because he didn’t know how long the batter-
for him while his two sons continued upward. Steve and Matt soon ies in his phone would last. Minutes later, she texted Steve and,
resumed their ascent and met Ben and Evan as those two were at the urging of authorities, asked him to call 911 again so they
coming down. could determine his GPS coordinates. On his second try, Steve got
Because of the wind, Steve and Matt did not linger at the summit. through to 911.
After snapping a few photos, they started down. At some point, It was not quite 2 p.m. when Steve made that last call. He had
4: I am an ambassador for another world 49
reason to hope he would be found that night. Because of the wind, he said.
however, forest rangers could not land a helicopter on Marcy. In- They were forest rangers who had resumed the search earlier in
stead they landed at Lake Colden and hiked up the mountain. They the morning. It was 8:30 a.m. An hour later, Steve was lifted into
searched until midnight without success, eventually retreating a helicopter and whisked away to Adirondack Medical Center in
in the face of the severe weather. They evidently came within a Saranac Lake. When he first arrived, his toes were purple and his
hundred yards of Steve’s snow hole, but because of the wind, their fingers were ashen gray. His digits also were swollen. By Tuesday
shouts went unheard. afternoon, some of the natural color had returned and the swell-
Steve had started digging the shelter about 5 p.m. He punched ing had started to subside.
through a layer of crust and scooped out the underlying snow Jane had been waiting all night for a phone call. Upon hearing her
with his hands, creating a hole three or four feet deep in the husband had been found alive, she said, “I broke down, because I
gully’s slope. He tried to start a fire with pieces of bark and dead didn’t know what I was going to hear.”
branches, but he gave up after the wind kept blowing out his
Things might have turned out differently if Steve had not been
matches.
wearing several layers of clothing: long underwear (tops and
He entered the hole for the night about 6:30 p.m. Scrunched bottoms), knee-high socks, fleece pants, fleece sleeveless vest,
up in his frigid prison, he had a view of the clear sky. The stars windbreaker, shell jacket (with hood), mittens, two hats, and
moved imperceptibly. He thought about his family, thought about a face mask. On his feet he wore low-cut boots, which he now
death, and tried not to fall asleep. “I was afraid if I went to sleep I concedes wasn’t a good choice for winter.
wouldn’t wake up,” he said.
He believes his training as a triathlon competitor (both he and his
Despite his best efforts, he occasionally nodded off, only to wake wife have done the Lake Placid Ironman) helped him get through
with a start, yelling for help. No one answered. the ordeal. “I’ve been through pain before,” he remarked. “It gives
Throughout the night he flexed his fingers, kicked his feet, and you a mental toughness.”
thrashed his body to keep the blood flowing. Eventually, he had Yet he said the biggest credit goes to the forest rangers. He came
to pry his fingers open to keep the joints from freezing. At some to tears at the thought that they risked their lives searching for
point he lost all feeling in his feet. him in the night on Marcy’s summit. “I owe my life to them,” he
When dawn finally came, he realized that one of his boots had said.
come off during the night. It was still tied. Since he couldn’t What is the lesson from all this?
unlace the boot with his frozen fingers, he used a broken ski pole
“If you’re with a group, stay with the group,” he said. “None of
as a shoehorn to wedge his foot inside. He managed to get his
this would have happened if we stayed together. And just be
snowshoes on, too. He clambered out of the snow hole and started
prepared.”
trudging away from the gorge, sometimes crawling.
He estimates that it took him an hour to travel a few hundred By Phil Brown, editor of Adirondack Explorer. http://adirondackex-
plorer.org/out-takes/2012/02/22/cold-night-on-marcy-a-survivors-
yards. “As I got to a rock ledge, I heard voices and yelled for help,” tale/. Used by permission of the author.
Notes from the leader’s presentation:
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Your crisis response plan:
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List your order of priorities for survival here:
1. _________________________________________________________________________________________
2. _________________________________________________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________________________________________________
4. _________________________________________________________________________________________
5. _________________________________________________________________________________________
6. _________________________________________________________________________________________
7. _________________________________________________________________________________________
1. ___________________________________
2. ___________________________________
3. ___________________________________
After you’ve heard the leader describe a crisis scenario, outline your creative ideas for signaling:
1. _________________________________________________________________________________________
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2. _________________________________________________________________________________________
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3. _________________________________________________________________________________________
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Exodus 12:13
Signal Message
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Exodus 31:16, 17
Signal Message
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Joshua 2:17, 18
Signal Message
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2 Kings 20:8–10
Signal Message
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Matthew 24:29, 30
Signal Message
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Activity
Notes on the types and methods of signals:
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Instructions for your small group:
Write down the type of signal your group is instructed to demonstrate.
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Be prepared to present to the other groups.
? did you know...
? did you know...
? did you know...
? did you know...
Activity
Make sure you have your compass with you.
Notes on the presentation:
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The lines in this picture show the horizontal magnetic lines under the earth’s surface that point toward magnetic north and south.
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Discuss the following questions in your small group. Write down the ideas you come up with.
1. What situations might cause you to spend a night alone in the wilderness? Come up with at least four ideas.
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2. What is the list of the seven survival priorities you should set in this area where we are having our camping trip? What order should
they be in? Write them here:
a. _______________________________________________________________________________________
b. __ _____________________________________________________________________________________
c. ____ ___________________________________________________________________________________
d. ______ _________________________________________________________________________________
e. _______________________________________________________________________________________
f. __ _____________________________________________________________________________________
g. ___ ____________________________________________________________________________________
Activity
You will receive instructions from the leader for an overnight solo wilderness trip.
Write down the equipment you will need:
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1. What was Nehemiah’s job? (See Nehemiah 2:10.)
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___ ______________________________________________________________________________________
2. In what ways did King Artaxerxes trust Nehemiah?
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___ ______________________________________________________________________________________
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3. In what ways did Nehemiah trust King Artaxerxes?
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4. How did Nehemiah show his trust in God?
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5. What do you learn from Nehemiah’s attitude of trust?
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96 4: I am an ambassador for another world
thinking it through
1. Nehemiah had heard about the dismal state of Jerusalem and its inhabitants and it grieved him. He asked God to give him an opportunity
to change those conditions. Four months after he had heard news from Jerusalem, he got the chance to pop the question.
Read the following passage and ponder this question: “What situation have you faced in which you had only your trust in God to carry you
through?”
The recital of the condition of Jerusalem awakened the sympathy of the monarch [Artaxerxes] without arousing
his prejudices. Another question gave the opportunity for which Nehemiah had long waited: “For what dost thou
make request?” But the man of God did not venture to reply till he had sought direction from One higher than
Artaxerxes. He had a sacred trust to fulfill, in which he required help from the king; and he realized that much
depended upon his presenting the matter in such a way as to win his approval and enlist his aid. “I prayed,” he
said, “to the God of heaven.” In that brief prayer Nehemiah pressed into the presence of the King of kings and
won to his side a power that can turn hearts as the rivers of waters are turned (Prophets and Kings, 631).
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2. This is an opportunity for you to plan ahead for your Individual Discipleship Plan. Reflecting on what the camping trip taught you about
yourself, prepare a plan for working on parts of your character, especially newly identified areas, that need strengthening.
Activity
Follow the group leader’s instructions for trust-building activities.
2. Turn to the IDP pages in the back of your handbook. Spend some time on the planning questions.
Activity
Follow the directions of the group leader for three activities.
Our Ambassador group will become involved in serving the community during this module. We will discuss the basis of the project and
think about ideas for a community project or organization in which our group can serve bi-weekly or once a month.
Reflections:
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